Tape dispenser



5 Sheets-Sheet l Jam.. m, w P. VAN CLEEF ET AL TAPE DISPENSERA FiledJan. 50, 1946 Jam 20, H948. P. VAN icm-:EF ET Ar. 2,434,776

` TAPE DISPENSER Filed Jan. '50, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .zdeiz 7@ faQ/VmCiegf Jano 20, 1948. P. VAN CLEEF ET AL TAPE DISPENSER Filed Jan. 50,1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIWIIHH Patented Jan. 20, 1948 TAPE DISPENSERPaul Van Cleef and Frank Chonacki, Chicago, Ill., assgnors toJohns-Manville Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication January 30, 1946, Serial No. 644,279

11 Claims. (Cl. 164--84.5)

The present invention relates generally to tape dispensers. Moreparticularly the invention relates to that type of dispenser which isexpressly designed and adapted for use in handling a roll of tape of thevariety that has an inner coating of permanently tacky or so-cal1edpressure sensitive adhesive, and as its principal components or partscomprises: (l) a frame embodying a pair of parallel laterally spacedupstanding sides together with means for rotatably supporting the rollof tape between the sides; and (2) a platform which is located orpositioned adjacent the sides of the frame and in alignment with thespace between the frame sides and has adjacent its outer margin acutting edge for cutting the tape into lengths as vit is unwound fromthe roll.

When it is desired in connection with use of a tape dispenser of thistype to sever a length of tape from the roll the outer end of the tapeis pulled outwards a distance corresponding to the length of tape thatis desired and then the inner end of the pulled length is brought intoadhesively connected relation with the platform and is severed bypulling it downwards so that it is cut by the cutting edge adjacent theouter margin of the platform. When it is desired again to cut a lengthfrom the roll the outer end of the tape is removed from the platform andthen pulled outwards, the last mentioned operation being followed by thesteps or operations heretofore described. In practice it has been foundthat the work or effort incident to manual strip ping or removal of thefree or outer end of the tape from the platform each time a length oftape is severed from the roll renders use of the dispenser objectionableor diiicult.

The primary object of the instant invention is to provide a tapedispenser of the type under consideration which is an improvement upon,and eliminates the defects of, or objections to, previously designeddispensers and is characterized by the fact that it includes meanswhereby the free end of the tape is automatically stripped or pulledaway from the platform at the conclusion of each tape severing operationto the end that it is f ree and hence may be readily gripped by the userof the dispenser in connection with the next following tape severingoperation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tape dispenser of thelast mentioned character in which the means for automatically strippingthe free or outer end of the tape from the platform at the conclusion ofeach tape severing Operation is essentially of simple vdesign and con- 2struction and has associated with it a roller which is disposed adjacentthe rear margin of the platform and serves to guide the tape over theplatform as it is pulled from the roll in connection with a tapersevering operation.

A further object of the invention is t0 provide a tape dispenser whichis generally of new and improved construction, effectively and eicientlyfulfills its intended purpose, and may be manufactured at a low andreasonable cost as well as operated with ease or facility.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages andcharacteristics of the present tape dispenser will be apparent from aconsideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which arehereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at theconclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification ordisclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote correspondingparts throughoout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective of a tape dispenser embodying one form of theinvention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the dispenser of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the dispenser of Figure1, showing the tape being pulled from the roll and before the inner endof the pulled length is brought into adhesively connected relation withthe platform directly prior to severance of the length by the cuttingedge, and illustrating the manner in which the roller that is disposedadjacent the rear margin of the platform serves to guide the tape overthe platform as it is pulled from the roll;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section showing the tapeafter the inner end of the pulled length has been brought intoadhesively connected relation with the platform directly prior toseverance of the length from the roll by the .cutting edge, andillustrating the position that is assumed by the vertically movablesupplemental roller constituting the means for automatically strippingthe free end of the tape from the platform before severance of thepulled length of the tape by the cutting edge;

Figure 5 is another fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectionillustrating in detail the manner in which the vertically movablesupplemental roller moves downwards after severance of the pulled lengthof tape and coacts with the guide roller automatically to strip the freeend of the tape from the platform;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a tape dispenser embodying a second ormodified form of the invention;

Figure '7 is a vertical longitudinal section of the dispenser of Figure6; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section showing indetail the construction, arrangement and modey of operation of theautomatic stripping means of the dispenser of Figure 6.

The dispenser which is shown in Figures l to 5, inclusive of thedrawings constitutesone form or embodiment of the invention. It isexpressly designed or adapted for use in handling or dis pensing a rollof tape I and as its principal or essential component parts comprises aframe I I, a platform I2, a guide roller I3 and means I@ forautomatically stripping the tape from the platform I2 as describedhereafter more in detail. The tape Ill is wound on a ring shaped core Itand is of that type or Variety which has on its inner surface a coatingof permanently tacky, pressure sensitive adhesive.

The frame I I serves to house and also rotatably to support the roll oftape and comprises a bottom wall I6, a pair of parallel laterally spacedupstanding sides I1 and an upstanding front wall I3. It is preferably inthe form of a one-piece casting in order that it is rigid. The sides IIare jointed to, and project upwards from, the side margins of the bottomwall I6 and are spaced apart a distance slightly in excess of the widthof the tape Il). They are adapted and designed to lap the sides of theroll ,of tape as best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and have in the rearportions of the inner faces thereof opposed upwardly and rearwardlyinclined grooves I9, the lower ends of which terminate adjacent theupper portions of the sides and form seats for supporting the ends of ahorizontally extending spindle 2G. The latter extends through the coreI5 and functions rotatably to support the roll of tape Iii. The upperends of the grooves I9 are open in order that the spindle may be removedfrom the frame when it is desired to apply a new roll of tape to thespindle. In mounting the roll of tape on the frame the spindle 2E! isfirst inserted through the core I5. Thereafter the ends of the spindleare brought into alignment with the upper ends of the grooves I9 and thespindle together with the roll is lowered until the ends of the spindleseat in the lower ends of the grooves, To remove the spindle it is onlynecessary to slide the latter upwards out of the two grooves. The frontwall I8 of the frame I I is joined to, and extends across the frontmargins of, the sides Il. The upper margin of the front wall and theupper margins of the frame sides are coplanar.

The platform I 2 is located adjacent the upper end of the front wall I8of the frame II and extends substantially horizontally. It is formed ofany suitable metal and has the rear or inner margin thereof bentdownwards at right angles t0 form a depending flange ZI' which ntsagainst the upper portion of the rear face of the front wall I8 and issecured in place by way of bolts 2'2. The latter extend through holes 23in the ange 2l and iit within threaded sockets 24 in the upper portionof said front wall I8. The front or outer margin of the platform I2 isshaped to form a cutting edge 25 for severing the tape I l into lengthsor strips. When it is desired to sever a length of tape from the rollthe free or outer end of the tape is pulled outwards a distancecorresponding to the length of tape that is desired and then the innerend of the pulled length is brought into adhesively connected relationwith the platform and is severed by the cutting edge 25. Severance orcutting of the pulled length is effected by exerting downward `pressureon the length so as to cause the edge 25 to cut through the inner end ofthe length. If desired, the cutting edge 25 may be in the form of arectilinear series of V-shaped teeth as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of thedrawings. In connection with severing of a length of the tape by thecutting edge 25 the portion ofthe tape that is directly inwards of thecutting edgeis brought into adhesively connected relation with the topsurface of the platform l2 as the pulled length of the tape is cut bythe cutting edge 25. Preferably the platform I2 is iiat and restsdirectly on the upper or top edge of the front wall I8 of the dispenserframe II.

The guide roller I3 extends horizontally and is disposed between thefront upper corners of the frame sides Il. It is mounted for freerotation on a shaft '26 which extends through a centrally disposedlongitudinally extending open ended bore 2l in the roller I3 and has itsends mounted in aligned holes 28 in the front upper corners of the framesides I'I. vAs shown in the drawings the shaft 26 is so positioned thatthe upper portion of the guide roller I3 is located a slight distanceabove the upper surface of the platform I2. When the tape Ill is pulledforwards from the roll in connection with a severing or cuttingoperation the tape as itis pulled from the roll rides over and effectsrotation of the guide roller I3. Rotation of the guide roller isoccasioned by the fact that the roller is gripped by the adhesive on theinner face of the tape. The guide roller in connection with a tapepulling operation preparatory to severing a length of tape from the rollserves to guide the pulled tape over the platform I 2. Because the upperportion of the guide roller is'positioned a slight distance above theupper surface of the platform only a comparatively small portion of theouter end of the tape is adhesively connected to the platform aftersevering a length by the cutting edge 25.

The means I4 for automatically stripping the free or outer end of thetape from the platform I2 after` severance of a length of the tape bythe cutting edge 25 is in the form of a supplemental ro'ler 29. Thisroller extends horizontally and is located directly behind the guideroller I3. It is vertically movable as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 andhas as supporting means therefor a shaft 3Q. The latter extends througha centrally disposed longitudinally extending open ended bore 3| in theroller 29 and has its ends mounted in a pair of aligned verticallyextendingeslots 32 in a pair of upstanding ears 33. Such ears are formedintegraly with the front portions of the upper margins of the framesides I'I. The slots 32 permit the supplemental roller 29 to move downand up between a down position wherein it is disposed directly adjacentand in horizontal alignment with` the guide roller I3 (see Figure 5) andan up position wherein it is disposed above the guide roller (seeFigures 3 and 4). When the tape is pulled forwards preparatory tosevering a length from the roll the supplemental roler 29, due to thetape becoming taut, is shifted upwards into its up position. In suchposition the supplemental roller 29 rolls or revolves freely as the tapeis pulled from the roll. After the pulled length of the tape is severedby the out` ting edge as hereinbefore described, the supV plementalroller, due to its weight andthe action of gravity, moves downwards intoits down posh' tion. In connection with initial downward' shift of thesupplemental roller into its down position the free end of the tapewhich in connection with a tape severing operation is brought intoadhesively connected relation with the platform t2 is caused to bewithdrawn out of adhesively connected relation with the platform. In connection with further and complete downward shift of the supplementalroller the portion of the outer end of the tape that is between thesupplemental roller and the guide roller is swung upwards with theresult that thel outer extremity of the outer end of the tape is swungupwardsr into a position wherein it is completely free from therplatformand is in readiness to be gripped by the user of the dispenser inconnection with the. next following or succeeding tape severingoperation. During the last part of down shift of the supplemental rollerinto its down position the guide roller i3 is caused to rotate in acountercl'ockwse direction as viewed in Figures 1 to 5 and forms acentral fulcrum whereby the free or outer end of the tape is caused toswing upwards away from the platform l2'. A leaf spring 34 is mounted onthe bottom wall it. of the dispenser frame i! and is applied to therollV of tape so that it places a drag thereon tending to retardrotation of the roll with respect to the frame. One end of this leafspring is anchored or attached to the central portion of the upper faceof the frame bottom wall by way of a rivet 35'. The other end of theleaf spring is free and bears against the bottom portion of the taperoll. The leaf spring is arranged so that it extends lengthwise of theframe and causes the free end thereof to engage the bottom portion ofthe roll with upward pressure. The suppemental roller 29 is preferablyformed of comparatively heavy metalv in order that it is capable inresponse to its weight and the action of gravity automatically to stripthe free end of the tape from the platform l2 after a tape severingoperation.

When it is desired to sever a length of tape t' from the roller the freeor outer end of the tape is gripped and then pulled forwards a distancecorresponding to the length of tape that is desired. In connection withforward pulling of the tape the supplemental roller 29 moves bodilyupwards into its up position, as previouslyy pointed out, and the tapeis guided over the platform i2 by the guide roller i3. After the desiredlength of tape has been pulled from the rolf the length is severed byurging it downwards so, as. to, effect cutting thereof by the cuttingedge 25. As soon as the length of tape is severed and resultantly' thereis nor longer a forward pull on the remain-- ing tape the supplementalroller 29, due to. its weight and the action of gravity, moves. bodilydownwards, into its down position. During suicl movement the free orouter end of the tape is stripped from the platform and isy swungupwards as heretofore pointed out. By reason of the fact that the freeend of the tape is stripped.- from the patform andY swung upwards awayfrom. the latter at the conclusion of each tape cutting. oper ation itis automatically so positioned that it is in readiness readily to begripped in connection with the succeeding or next ensuing tape severingoperation.

The tape. dispenser which is shownV in Figures 6 1 to 5, inclusive, maybe operated with ease or facility because of the fact that it includesthe supplemental roller 29' whereby the free end of the tape isautomatically stripped or pulled away from the.A platform l2v at theconclusion of each tape severing operation. It is essentially simple inconstruction and hence may be produced at a low-and reasonable cost.

The dispenser which is shown in Figures 6 to 8', inclusive of thedrawings constitutes another orv modified embodiment of the invention.It is adapted to dispense, a roll 0f tape 10a having on. its innerAsurface a coating of permanently tacky pressure sensitive adhesive andcomprises as its principal parts a frame Ila, a platform I2a, a, guideroller I'Sa and means Ma for automatically stripping the, outer or freeend of the tape from the platform [2a at the conclusion of eachtapesevering operation. The frame lla, the platform I'Za and the guideroller 13a are constructed similarly to, and. serve the same purpose as,the corresponding parts of the dispenser of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive;The platform l2@ is mounted on the upper end of the front wall of theframe ila and embodies at its front or outer margin a cutting edge 25a.The guide roller I3a is located a small distance behind the platform 12aand is mounted for free rotary motion on a shaft 25a, The latter is sosupported that the upper portion of the guide roller is disposed aslight distance` above the upper surface of the platform 12a.

The automatic stripping means la serves the same purpose as, butfunctions and is constructed .1 differently than, the automaticstripping means t4. of the dispenser of Figures l to 5, inclusive. It isassociated and coacts with the guide roller i3d behind the platform 12a,and comprises a U- shaped member 36. The latter consists of a crosspiece3l and a pair of side pieces 38 and 39. The crosspiece 3l' of theU-shaped member 36 is flat as best shown in Figure '7, and is mountedon, and carried by, the side pieces 38 and 39 so that it is` freeLtoswing back and forth between a down position wherein the outer marginalportion thereof' overliesl and extends lengthwise of the rear margin ofthe platform 12a (see Figure 7) and an up positionY wherein it isdisposed upwards and rearwards of the platform, as shown in Figure 8.The side pieces 38 and 39 of the U- shaped member 36 are connected to,and project rearwards from, the ends of the crosspieoe 31 and have atthe rear ends thereof holes through which the ends of the shaft 26aextend loosely. The shaft supports the U-shaped member 36 so that it isfree; to swing vertically in order to bring the erosspiece. 31 into itsdown and up positions. The Ll-shaped member is urged upwards by way ofan arm 4,0 and a spiral tension spring 4i. The arm 4i!- is connectedrigidly to, and projects rearwards from, the rear end of the side piece38 and is located adjacent the inner face of one of the upstanding sidesof the dispenser frame l la. The spring 4I extends vertically and isdisposed between the frame sides. The upper end of the,v spring isanchored to the rear end of the arm 4l]` and the lower end of the springis connected t0. a pin 42., The spring is so loaded and applied that iturges the U-shaped member 36 upwards away rom the platform I2a. A pin 43underlies the arm 40, and coacts therewith to limit upward swinging ofthe Ul-shaped member 35. Such pin is xedly connected to, and projectsinwards from-, the frame side wal-l adjacent which the arm dill-isdisposed.

` When the free end of the tape is pulled forwards in connection with acutting or severing of a length from the roll Ia the pulled length ridesover and is guided by the guide roller 13a and swings the U-shapedmember 36 into its down position against the force of the tension spring4l, as shown in Figure 7. In connection with initial or partial cuttingof the length by the cutting edge 25a the portion of the tape that isdirectly inwards of the cutting edge is caused to adhere to the frontmargin of the platform I2a. As soon as the cutting operation iscompleted and the tension on the free connected end of the tape isthereby released the U-shaped member 36 swings upwards in response tothe action or force of the tension spring di and thus causes the freeend of the tape to be stripped or freed from the platform 12a. In viewof the fact that the crosspiece 31 of the U-shaped member is disposed anappreciable distance rearwards of the cutting edge 25a the outerextremity of the free end of the tape is exposed after the automaticstripping operation and hence may be readily gripped by the user of thedispenser in connection with the next following tape severing operation.In connection with upward swing of the U-shaped member the portion ofthe free end of the tape that is inwards of the outer end extremityfulcrums about the guide roller 26a by reason of the fact that suchportion is in adhesively connected relation with the guide roller. Whenthe free end of the tape is pulled outwards in connection with the nextfollowing or succeeding tape severing operation initial pull on the taperesults in disengagement or disconnection of the crosspiece 37 of theU-shaped member 36 from the adhesive coating on the adjacent or innersurface of the tape. It is contemplated that during outward pulling ofthe tape the tape will at all times ride over the guide roller |3a andthe portion of the tape that is in direct contact with the roller willbe adhesively connected to the roller.

The tape dispenser of Figures 6 to 8, inclusive, of the drawings differsfrom that of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, in that the automatic strippingmeans is applied to the free end of the tape at a point between theplatform and the guide roller and urges the adjacent portion of the tapeupwards. In the tape dispenser of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, theautomatic stripping means, instead of being so applied is applied at apoint behind the guide roller and urges the tape downwards. Bothautomatic stripping means, however, serve the same purpose in that eachoperates automatically to disengage the free end of the tape from theplatform directly after severance of a length of the tape by the cuttingedge on the front portion of the platform. The tape dispenser of Figures6 to 8, like that of Figures 1 to 5, is essentially simple in design andmay be used with extreme facility because it includes the automaticstripping means Illa.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details setforth since these may be modied within the scope of the appended claimswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: f

l. A device adapted for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the typethat has a coating of permanently tacky pressure sensitive adhesive,kand comprising means for rotatably supporting` the roll, a tape cuttinginstrumentality positioned in alignment and spaced relation With theroll, a guide roller disposed behind the cutting instrumentality andadapted when a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory tosevering it by said cutting instrumentality to have the length travelover it with the adhesive coating in contact therewith, and meansarranged to coact with the roller and operative automatically afterseverance of the pulled length by the cutting instrumentality to swingthe portion of the tape between the cutting instrumentality and theroller away from said instrumentality into a position wherein it may bereadily gripped in connection with the next following tape severingoperation,

2. A device adapted for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the typethat has a coating of permanently tacky pressure sensitive adhesive, andcomprising mean for rotatably supporting the roll, a tape cuttinginstrumentality positioned in alignment and spaced relation with theroll, a guide roller disposed behind the cutting instrumentality andadapted when a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory tosevering it by said cutting instrumentality to have the length travelover it with the adhesive coating in contact therewith, and means behindthe guide roller for exerting such transverse pressure on the portion ofthe tape between the roller and the roll that `after severance of thelength by the cutting instrumentality the portion of the tape betweenthe cutting instrumentality and the roller isy caused automatically toswing away from said cutting instrumentality into a position wherein itmay be readily gripped in connection with the next following severingoperation.

3. A device adapted for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the typethat has a coating of permanently tacky pressure sensitive adhesive, andcomprising means for rotatably supporting the roll, a tape cuttinginstrumentality positioned in alignment and spaced relation with theroll, a guide roller disposed behind the cutting instrumentality andadapted when a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory tosevering it by said cutting instrumentality to have the length travelover it with the adhesive coating in contact therewith, and meansbetween the cutting instrumentality and the guide roller for exertingsuch transverse pressure on the adjacent portion of the tape that aftera tape severing operation said portion is caused automatically to swingaway from the instrumentality into a position wherein it may be readilygripped in connection with the next following tape severing operation.

4. A device adapted for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the typethat has a coating of permanently tacky pressure sensitive adhesive, andcomprising means for rotatably supporting the roll, a platformpositioned in alignment with the roll, having a tape cuttinginstrumentality associated therewith and located forwards thereof, andadapted when a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory tosevering it by the cutting instrumentality to have the portion of thetape directly rearwards of the inner end of the length brought intoadhesively connected relation with it, a guide roller spaced behind theplatform and adapted in connection with pulling of the length from theroll to have the length travel over it with the adhesive coating incontact therewith, and means coacting with the roller and operativeautomatically after severance of the pulled length by the cuttinginstrumentality to strip said portion of the tape from the platform andswing it into a position. wherein it may be readily gripped in`connection with the next following tape severing operation.

5. A device adapted for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the typethat has on its inner side a coating of permanently tacky pressuresensitive adhesive, and comprising a frame embodying a pair of laterallyspaced upstanding sides together with means for rotatably supporting theroll between the sides, a substantially horizontal platform spaced fromthe roll and positioned in alignment with the space between the framesides, having a tape cutting edge adjacent its outer margin, and adaptedwhen a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory to severing itby the cutting edge to have the portion of the tape directly inwards ofthe inner end of the length brought into adhesively connected relationwith it, a guide roller spaced behind the platform and adapted inconnection with pulling of the length from the roll to have the lengthtravel over it with the adhesive coating in contact therewith, andyieldable means behind the guide roller for exerting such down pressureon the portion of the tape between the roller and the roll that afterseverance of the length by the cutting edge the first mentioned portionof the tape is caused automatically to swing upwards away from theplatform into a position wherein it may be readily graspedin connectionwith the next following tape severing operation.

6. A device adapted for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the typethat has on its inner side a coating of permanently tacky pressuresensitive adhesive, and comprising a frame embodying a pair of laterallyspaced upstanding sides together with means for rotatably supporting theroll between the sides, a substantially horizontal platform spaced fromthe roll and positioned in alignment with the space between theframesides, having a tape cutting edge adjacent its outer margin, and adaptedwhen a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory to severing itby the cutting edge to have the portion of the tape directly inwards ofthe inner end of the length brought into adhesively connected relationwith it, a guide roller spaced behind the platform and adapted inconnection with pulling of the length from the roll to have the lengthtravel over it with the adhesive coating in contact therewith, andyieldable means in front of the guide roller for exerting such upwardpressure on the adjacent portion of the tape that after a tape severingoperation said first mentioned portion is caused automatically to swingupwards away from the platform into a position wherein it may be readilygripped in connection with the neXt following tape severing operation.

'7. A device adapted for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the typethat has on its inner side a coating of permanently tacky pressuresensitive adhesive, and comprising a frame embodying a pair of laterallyspaced upstanding sides together with means for rotatably supporting theroll between the sides, a substantially horizontal platform spaced fromthe roll and positioned in alignment with the space between the framesides, having a tape cutting edge adjacent its outer margin, and adaptedwhen a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory to severing itby the cutting edge to have the portion of the tape directly inwards ofthe inner end of the length brought into adhesively connected relationwith it, a guide roller spaced behind the platform and adapted inconnection with pulling of the length from the roll to have the lengthtravel over it with the adhesive coating in contact therewith, and meansbehind the guide roller for exerting such down pressure on the portionof the tape between the roller and the roll that after severance ofthelength by the cutting edge the first mentioned portion of the tape iscaused automatically to swing upwards away from the platform into aposition wherein it may be readily grasped in connection with the nextfollowing tape severing operation, said pressure means embodying acomparatively heavy supplemental roller mounted so that it is free tomove vertically and arranged so that the bottom portion thereof rests onsaid portion of the tape between the guide roller and the roll.

8. A device adapted for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the typethat has on its inner side a coating of permanently tacky pressuresensitive adhesive, and comprising a frame embodying a pair of laterallyspaced upstanding sides together with means for rotatably supporting theroll between the sides, a substantially horizontal platform spaced fromthe roll and positioned in alignment with the space between the framesides, having a tape cutting edge adjacent its outer margin, and adaptedwhen a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory to severing itby the cutting edge to have the portion of the tape directly inwards ofthe inner end of the length brought into adhesively connected relationwith it, a guide roller spaced behind the platform and adapted inconnection with pulling of the length from the roll to have the lengthtravel over it with the adhesive coating in contact therewith, and meansin front of the guide roller for exerting such upward pressure on theadjacent portion of the tape that after a tape severing operation -saidfirst mentioned portion is caused automatically to swing upwards awayfrom the platform into a position wherein it may be readily gripped inconnection with the next following tape severing operation, said lastmentioned means embodying a stripper member located adjacent theplatform, provided with a crosspiece extending at right angles to thetape, and mounted so that it is movable back and forth between a downposition wherein the crosspiece is disposed adjacent the rear margin ofthe platform and an up position wherein the crosspiece is disposed abovethe platform, and in addition a spring for urging the member into its upposition.

9. A device adapted for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the typethat has on its inner side a coating of permanently tacky pressuresensitive adhesive, and comprising a frame embodying a pair of laterallyspaced upstanding sides together with means for rotatably supporting theroll between the sides, a substantially horizontal platform spaced fromthe roll and positioned in alignment with the space between the framesides, having a tape cutting edge adjacent its outer margin, and adaptedwhen a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory to severing itby the cutting edge to have the portion of the tape directly inwards ofthe inner end of the length brought into adhesively connected relationwith it, a guide roller spaced behind the platform and adapted inconnection with pulling of the length from the roll to have the lengthtravel over it with the adhesive coating in contact therewith, and meansin front of the guide roller for exerting such upward pressure on theadjacent portion of the tape that after a tape severing operation saidrst mentioned portion is caused automatically to swing upwards away fromthe platform into a position wherein it may be readily gripped inconnection with the next following tape severing operation, said lastmentioned means consisting of a U-shaped stripper member locatedadjacent the platform and having the free ends of its -side pieces sopivotally mounted that it is capable of being swung back and forthbetween a down position wherein the crosspiece thereof rests on the rearmargin of the platform and an up position wherein said crosspiece isdisposed above the platform, and in addition a spring applied to themember so as to urge it into its up position.

10. A device adapted for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the typethat has a coating of permanently tacky pressure sensitive adhesive, andcomprising means for rotatably supporting the roll, a tape cuttinginstrumentality positioned in alignment and spaced relation with theroll, a guide roller disposed behind the cutting instrumentality andadapted when a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory tosevering it by said cutting instrumentality to have the length travelover it with the adhesive coating in conf tact therewith, and gravityactuated means arranged to coact with the roller and operativeIautomatically after severance of the pulled length by the cuttinginstrumentality to swing the portion of the tape between the cuttinginstrumentality and the roller away from said instrumentality into aposition wherein it may be readily gripped in connection with the nextfollowing tape severing operation.

11. A device adapted for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the typethat has a coating of permanently tacky pressure sensitive adhesive, andcomprising means for rotatably supporting the roll, a tape cuttinginstrumentality positioned in alignment and spaced relation with theroll. a guide roller disposed behind the cutting instrumentalityfandadapted when a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory tosevering it by said cutting instrumentality to have the length travelover it with the adhesive coating in contact therewith, and springloaded means arranged to coact with the roller and operativeautomatically after severance of the pulled length by the cuttinginstrumentality to swing the portion of the tape betweenthe cuttinginstrumentality and the roller away from said instrumentality into aposition wherein it may be readily gripped in connection with the nextfollowing tape severing operation. f

PAUL VAN Cllilllll- FRANK CHONACKI.

REFERENCES CYTED The following references are of record in the lile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PA I'E NTS Number Name Date 2,264,425 Witter Dec. 2, 19412,362,641 Krueger Nov. 14, 1944

